Analysis of axial pile‐soil interaction in clay

Abstract

Abstract A method for predicting the maximum mobilized side resistance and unit shaft resistance‐displacement curves (load transfer functions) on piles in clay is described. The method was derived using a numerical solution to model pile installation effects and a finite element scheme to model pile loading. Results of three well‐documented pile load tests on steel piles were used to develop intermediate steps and final solutions, and the method was verified by comparing predicted results to two other load tests. An expression is proposed to represent load transfer functins for use by practitioners for the design of bridge and other foundations in clay.